A great undertaking

A mannequin used for undertaker classes lies on a table outside the Tianquanjiajing Funeral Service school in Jiaxing, east China, where young Chinese undertaker trainees are among those fighting centuries-old taboos to gain social acceptance for their profession.

The young undertakers say they help the deceased and their families say their final goodbyes with respect.

29 May 2012. Jiaxing, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Students bow in front of a mannequin as they begin an undertaker service class. Speaking about death is taboo in China, and superstitions regarding the topic remain so strong that many Chinese avoid the number 4, which has a similar sound to the word for death.

29 May 2012. Jiaxing, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Courses in funeral services take three years to complete, during which time students are taught basic skills while being encouraged to take on internships during their holidays in the thousands of funeral homes across the country.

29 May 2012. Jiaxing, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

A typical, simple undertaker service in China has long included things such as washing the body, as well as dressing it and providing funeral make-up.

But now the cleansing can include things similar to a spa treatment for the body, as well as gently massaging it before applying cosmetics - services that have been popular in Taiwan and Japan for years.

29 May 2012. Jiaxing, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Business is going strong for undertakers. China's annual report on funeral services listed the industry as worth 200 billion yuan ($31 billion) a year, and it is seen as one of the top ten most profitable businesses in the country.

29 May 2012. Jiaxing, China. Reuters/Carlos Barria

Despite their dedication, undertakers still face a strong social stigma. Many suffer pressure from friends and family to change their job, and others fail to find a husband or wife.